interpret for

interpret for (someone)

1. To serve as a translator for someone, especially between people who speak different languages. A noun or pronoun can be used between "interpret" and "for." Leonard interpreted for me so that I could respond to the French reporters' questions. Can you interpret the French reporters' questions for me?
2. By extension, to help someone to make sense of or understand something confusing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "interpret" and "for." Hey, can you interpret Joe's email for me? I have no idea what he's talking about.
See also: interpret
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

interpret something for someone

 
1. to translate a foreign language for someone. (Interpreting is done in real time.) Couldyou interpret the ambassador's address for me? Nina interpreted the director's greetings for the visitors.
2. to explain something unclear to someone. Let me interpret the instructions for you. The instructions have been interpreted for me by the manager.
See also: interpret

interpret for someone

to translate speech in a foreign language for someone. (Interpreting is done in real time.) Nina interpreted for Michael, since he understood very little Russian. Is there someone who can interpret for me?
See also: interpret
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • interpret for (someone)
  • (Is) this taken?
  • ask back
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • angle
  • angling
  • dope out
  • dope out (something)
  • doping
  • rescue from
References in periodicals archive
report that "New Zealand court interpreters never receive any information about the case they are about to interpret for, as this is prohibited by law" (p.
Blasco Mayor, M.J., & del Pozo Trivino, M. (Eds.) (2015). Legal interpreting at a turning point/La interpretacion en el ambito judicial en un momento de cambio--MonTI 7
Employing Habermas (p.9-10) she recognizes the growth of consumption and the increasing ability of individuals to interpret for themselves.
Curiosity: A Cultural History of Early Modern Inquiry. (Reviews)
Because of her vision and hearing impairments, and because her friends could not adequately interpret for her, she had no idea why the doctor had "cut" her, why she was in pain, or what she could do to help herself get well.
Hiring someone certified by RID does not guarantee that the interpreter has the specific skills needed to interpret for those who are deaf-blind.
Hiring interpreters for individuals who are deaf-blind
In Moscow, for example, he had the opportunity to interpret for a historic US $2.2 billion joint venture, the largest ever between the United States and the Soviet Union, to build a western Siberia petrochemical complex.
The invisible man
She has gone on to interpret for the Folger Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, Ford's Theater, and the John F.
You're a what?
These interpreters were not used again to interpret for children.
Interpreted communication with children in public-sector services
Participants cited the suffering experienced by those they interpret for as the most common source of stress.
The impact of emotional and psychological factors on public service interpreters: preliminary studies